Hi Alan!
We have had many participants post comments on the value of using life experiences in the classroom or lab. I think your observations capture several points as to this value for both the student and the instructor. Real life examples from students certainly build self-confidence and just make the topic-at-hand more interesting. Examples and experiences from the instructor create relevance as students see the instructor as an expert and picture the workplace accordingly.
Thanks for your observations!
Jay Hollowell
ED106 Facilitator